The Ballroom was amazing. Alex did not possess the vocabulary needed to express the unique beauty that surrounded her. The walls were detailed in an interesting stucco pattern. The color was a sweet cream, trimmed out in the darkest mahogany wood, matching the plains of the floor. The high ceilings were perfect for the grand wrought iron chandeliers, and on one side of the room were, she assumed, opera balconies. What must it be like to have an opera night in one's own home? The rich draperies and lush fabrics complimented the look of the room so eloquently; it was nothing like she had expected it to be. The whole carriage ride here, she had pictured a dark manor, probably on the cusp of decay, falling apart in rot. Since she first arrived, it had been one surprise after another; maybe the Alphas were not as senseless as she had always assumed them to be.
The atmosphere around her sizzled with heightened emotions. Everyone was anxious for the bidding part of the night, finding out who they would be going home with. Alex could see the appeal. If she had been another girl, she might have let herself be seduced by all the glamour around her. She was not another girl, though. She was Alexis Darling, daughter, sister, friend, and now savior. It was her mission to find the Alpha Lord and make him listen to her story. When she looked at all the lavish furniture and excessive decorations, it reminded her of how little her people had. They had to struggle when these…people lived it up and were not even aware of what was going on in the village right across the forest. How could they be so close and have so much and not even offer to help? It just renewed her distaste for the Alpha race entirely.
Alex found herself in the middle of the dance floor for the second time that night. Where was the man she was supposed to be sharing this dance with? Looking around, she saw that everyone else had already found their partners. Had the man taken one look at her and decided that she was not worth the effort? Honestly, she would not blame him. Alex did not relish in the fact that she would no doubt be maiming yet another Alpha with her lack of grace. There was a faint mummer from the crowd around her. Alex looked around, perplexed. What was everyone in a tizzy over? So, caught up in watching the others, she did not hear the man's approach, and he was suddenly in front of her. Blinking up at the man, her breath caught in her throat. Blue eyes clashed with violet, and Alex had to halt her urge to back away. "So, you are real." She let out more breathless than she liked.
The man's eyes gave nothing away. Up close, he looked far for intimidating, his broad shoulder and terrifying height. The Alpha was at least a foot taller than her. Once again, she noticed his casual demeanor, the way he stood in front of her with such indifference. His hands were in his pockets, much like the first time she had seen him leaning against the stone pillar. "So it seems." He acknowledged.
His aloof manner was starting to grate on her nerves, "Are you, Ace?"
There was a hushed silence among the gathering. Alex was sure that from where she stood, everyone could hear her heart beating against her chest as she waited for her answer, "Yes." He stated the intensity of his gaze seemed to have escalated a degree. "This is our dance."
Alex raised a brow, "Are you going to take your hands out of your pockets, or are you expecting me to dance for you?"
The question was obviously rhetorical, but the way his eyes took on a predatory gleam made a chill wash down her spin, "Depends, does your dancing come with the loss of feeling in my feet?"
Gritting her teeth, Alex forced herself to smile up at him sweetly, "Among other appendages."
"Well, that won't do." He stated, and without warning, he reached out, spanning her waist with both of his big hands, and hauled her quite literally on top of his person, her feet planted directly on his.
A blush crept up her neck, staining her cheeks, "what the fuck are you doing?" she hissed out in embarrassment.
The multitude of people watching them suddenly turned away, pretending they did not just witness a brute of a man pluck her from the ground and set her on his own feet like she was a mere child. White-hot rage bubbled under her skin. She saw red at this stranger's familiar handle of her body. Who in the hell did he think he was? As livid as Alex was, though, her wolf did not raise her hackles once at the misuse of personal space. The fact that her wolf was quiet had Alex slightly concerned; the beast usually snapped at people over far less. If anything, she felt…content. Ace's hands were firm on her hips like if he let go, she would run away. Raising her chin with more confidence than she felt, she stared directly into those soul-gripping eyes.
"Just saving my feet the hassle and you from making an even bigger fool out of yourself. What kind of Lady cannot dance?"
The man was deliberately goading her, wanting a rise. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, calming her thoughts before she spoke. "I was too focused on feeding my family for such trivial things as dancing."
The music started, and Ace took one hand in his, the other hand going around the small of her back. Heat speared her everywhere he touched; his palm rested dangerously low on her spine, sending little tingles along every nerve. "I see." He said after a moment. Alex had to break eye contact. His gaze was molten, and it was melting her from the inside out. Searching for anything else to stare at, her eyes caught the glint from Ace's hand, and to her surprise, he wore an iron band around his middle finger. Black markings started around his wrist and disappeared under the sleeve of his shirt, "You do not know much about Alpha culture, do you?" he asked, changing the subject completely. Alex let herself be carried away with the motions of Ace's body, and she had to admit that she would not have been able to keep up. His movements were flawless, his steps so in sync with the beat that he moved effortlessly even with her weight.
Alex shook her head. The action made her rub her nose against the silk freshness of his shirt, and his scent filled her lungs as she took a deep breath. He smelt of spice and sin. Never had she found herself so drawn to a person's aroma before, but for some reason, she just wanted to inhale his all night. "Since I am not an Alpha, that would be a hard no." she mumbled absently, then suddenly snapping out of whatever spell she had been under, she said in a rush, "Oh, since I have you here, could you point me in the direction of the Alpha Lord?" smooth Alex, she mentally palmed her face at her lack of tact.
Ace's face took on a grave seriousness at the question; she felt her heart skip a beat, "Tired of my company already?" he asked casually, his attitude instantly shuffled, leaving Alex reeling.
"Not that it is any of your business, but I need to speak with him on some important matters." She stated hotly.
"Ah, well, I am sure he is around here somewhere." He stated as the song came to a beautiful end, without waiting for a response he turned away and left her standing by herself. To Alex's annoyance she had become the center of everyone's attention once again. Now her wolf stirred, though the feeling of neglect was not what she had expected to come from the she-wolf, the little traitor.